Because I Am Loved

Because I am loved...

I have been the relief society president for a little over a year and a half now, and I just need to say...that I have learned more lessons of refinement, perspective, intentions and assumptions, and more lessons of the Atonement and Heavenly Father's love for each of us than I ever thought I could! I am learning how He is in the very details of our lives, and when something feels like it's gone "wrong", it's really just another life experience chalked up to be a tool to get me one step closer to trying to become more like my Savior Jesus Christ. 

This particular week I feel like I have experienced a little of the refiner's fire and it is helping me to see just how imperfect I really am, and how each day we truly NEED Jesus Christ's atonement in our lives and that weekly renewal of the sweet blessing of the sacrament. I really can't remember ever in my life wanting Sunday to come so badly just because of how good it will feel to sit in peace and partake of the sacrament.

I know that hard things are not my favorite, nor are they any fun, but I do know that every time I have experienced a "hard time" I have learned some of my greatest lessons, and then it never fails that there is always an angel that I meet along my path. Sometimes the angel is anonymous, and sometimes they are there with open arms, a hug...and even flowers.

I continue to feel so blessed as I recognize daily where my greatest source of happiness and blessings come from...my loving Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ.

I'm grateful each day for the peace and joy that they bring to my life...and for the angel who brought me flowers. :)

Sisters and Soldiers

 Teachings from Russell M. Nelson

A Plea to My Sisters, October 2015

"We need women with the gift of discernment who can view 

the trends in the world and detect those that, 

however popular, are shallow or dangerous.

We need women who know how to make

 important things happen by their faith and who are courageous

 defenders of morality and families in a sin-sick world. 

We need women who are devoted to shepherding

 God’s children along the covenant path toward exaltation; 

women who know how to receive personal revelation, 

who understand the power and peace of the temple endowment; 

women who know how to call upon the powers of heaven to 

protect and strengthen children and families; women who teach fearlessly."

These are just a few of these courageous women that I am lucky to call MY friends. :)

Forever Family

 This past weekend we were blessed to attend the temple sealing of Riley's brother Brady and his wife Amanda in the Draper temple. EVERY time I witness this eternal ordinance I am filled with an abundance of love for my sweetheart, my children, and my brothers and sisters in the gospel on both sides of the veil. 

It was a beautiful day!

 We also enjoyed the company of Kierra and Riley as they went from family to family, house to house, squishing in every last bit of fun that they could while they were here!

 We went to lunch, saw the Avengers new movie! ...played games, visited together while relaxing and watching Kierra do homework...;), ate dinner, played volleyball and Frisbee, and even did some human pyramid games...But like I've said many times, we can do absolutely nothing when we are together and we still love it! Being together is a great blessing and we will happily take whatever time we can get!

They flew back home early Monday morning and we already miss them but are grateful for our forever family! We love you Kierra and Riley!

A Little Volleyball

Just a little game of volleyball in the front yard with just a few of my FAVORITE people!!!

So glad that Kierra and Riley are able to be here for the weekend!!!

(And that somehow Dallin's buttoned down shirt makes him better at volleyball???)

That kid is seriously a hoot ALL the time!!!

Happy Friday and GOOOOO JAZZ!!!!!!

A Little Sunshine

"Heavenly Father hears our prayers, yet it is usually through another person that He answers them..."

I found this on my door step yesterday and I must say, it added a little love and sunshine to my day! Traci is my good friend, neighbor, Stake Relief Society President, work out buddy, (I used to be her visiting teacher)...but more than anything we are sisters in the gospel!

Thank you for being a bright ray of sunshine in my day Traci! ;) I love you!

Kambriella at the Mini~Mall!

 Yesterday Kesslyn and I went "shopping" at Kambriella's 3rd grade Mini~Mall! :)

 This is something so fun that all of my kids have LOVED doing as a part of their 3rd grade experience at Rosamond Elementary... 

Each student gets to create and sell their own items in the gym as the fun ending to the economics unit in school...Dallin made Duck tape wallets, Gavin made Kendama holders, and Kambriella made cute "monster" type corner bookmarks and paired them with a rock candy sucker. They were a hit and she sold out of  all 31 of them very quickly! (Which made her really happy!!) ;)

 She got to "do business" next to 2 of her friends...Emery and Mia...

She decorated her advertising poster and decided to raise the price at the last minute from $15 to $20...

I think we have a little entrepreneur on our hands! ;)

 I wish I would have taken more pictures of the final product because they sure were cute! But here is one of the bookmarks that she made to look like an elephant...

 It's actually a corner bookmark that kind of looks like it's eating the page...Great job Kambriella!

Your hours of cutting, folding, and decorating was a great lesson learned and FUN to watch you do!!! Love you sweet girl! ;)

A Big Girl Bed!

 The last couple of nights have been a little different around here...with little Kesslyn deciding that she wants to sleep in a big girl bed! (She actually calls it "Kaya's bed", and sad but true...I think my baby is growing up! Her crib sits empty most of the time, and probably should have been taken down long ago, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it! I think it may finally be time...

 This sad reality also seems to be true with each of my kids!!! EVERYONE is growing up!!! (And as sad as it makes me, it also makes me soooo happy that they are growing into such amazing people. :)

 High school and driving are just around the corner for Dallin! Middle school for Gavin...and Kambriella mothers her baby sister JUST the way that Kierra mothered Kambriella!!! They are learning and growing so much, and oh do I love them so!!!

 As much as I love them and want time to stand still some days, I know that is NOT possible, and so I also look forward to the day when Clint and I will spend even more time focused on each other. Parenthood is a labor of love and a selfless one at that! There is no time to think selfishly...I just hope my children will be able to look back one day and really feel like their parents have tried to teach them all that matters in life, and that we did it with our whole hearts the best we knew how...I LOVE being a mother and a wife, and am grateful that I can carry these titles into eternity!